LOS ANGELES - Bonhams California Art sale on April 20 was led by Armin Hansen's Storm at Sea which achieved $375,313 against an initial estimate of $150,000 – 250,000. A member of California's plein air school of artists, Hansen is widely recognized for his maritime-themed paintings, inspired by seafarers residing in the Monterey Peninsula. The sale also saw strong results from two works by renowned landscape painter William Wendt, often called the Dean of Southern California; Along the River Bed realized $312,813 and In the Shadow of the Grove (Sunlight and Shadow) sold for $262,813. Both works stand as classic examples of Wendt's signature American Impressionist stylistic rendering of the unique California terrain.

In total, the 150-lot sale achieved $3,708,395. It was 83% sold by lot and 87% sold by value.

Bonhams Director of Fine Arts Scot Levitt commented, "Armin Hansen once declared his two intentions in life were 'to paint' and 'to battle the sea.' In Storm at Sea, top lot of yesterday's California Art sale, he triumphs at both. The work is a wonderfully vivid painting, clearly demonstrating his artistic talent as well as his passion for unpacking the complicated relationship of man and water. Successful results were also achieved by two landscape paintings by the inimitable William Wendt, and four world auction records were established for California artists Benjamin C. Brown, Lillie May Nicholson, David Chapple, and Grace McLean. Overall, we saw spirited engagement from buyers throughout the entirety of the sale, a testament to the market's unwavering strength."

New World Auction Records:

Benjamin C. Brown, The Joyous Garden, Sold for $119,063.

Lillie May Nicholson, Colorful Precipice on Left: Rocks on Coast, Sold for $31,562.

David Chapple, Santa Barbara Back Country, Sold for $16,562.

Grace McLean, Hollywood Phantasy, Sold for $5,100.